Four Things to Practice Before Postpartum (That No One Talks About)

When people prepare to have a baby, they often focus only on the birth. They want the perfect birth plan, a packed hospital bag, or all the best baby gear. But the postpartum period is when mothers and new parents need the most support.

Global health experts consider the first six weeks after birth as one of the most critical periods in maternal health, yet it is often overlooked in preparation. In this article, I’ll walk you through four practical strategies you can start practicing now to make your postpartum journey smoother and healthier.

I’m Anna, a birth and postpartum doula, lactation counselor, and childbirth educator supporting expat families in the Eindhoven region of the Netherlands.

1. Practice Asking for Help

Many parents assume that after a baby is born, they’ll “figure it out” themselves. But postpartum is never meant to be done alone. Support during pregnancy and postpartum has been shown to protect maternal mental health and reduce stress during the transition to parenthood.

Asking for help can feel uncomfortable, especially because society often defines strength as doing everything yourself. But vulnerability is not a weakness—it’s part of building your support system.

Practical ways to start asking for help:

Ask your partner or family member to make dinner tonight
Request a friend run an errand
Let someone bring food or groceries
Practice accepting help without feeling guilty or apologizing

Remember: support after giving birth is not a luxury. It’s part of good postpartum care.

2. Prioritize Rest

Birth is a major physical event. After delivery, your body is healing from significant changes:

Physical recovery from childbirth
Hormonal fluctuations
Sleep deprivation
Milk production for breastfeeding

Rest is essential for both physical and mental health during the postpartum period.

How to practice rest now:

Slow down during your day
Take short breaks, even 20–30 minutes in a quiet space
Allow yourself to let things be “good enough” instead of perfect

During postpartum, it’s not just about taking care of your baby—it’s also about supporting your body’s healing.

3. Redefine Productivity

Before birth, productivity might mean checking emails, cleaning, or ticking off a to-do list. After birth, postpartum productivity looks very different.

Productive postpartum days might include:

Feeding your baby
Eating nourishing meals
Sleeping when possible
Taking a shower
Bonding with your baby

Professional organizations like the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology agree that good postpartum care supports both a mother’s physical recovery and mental adjustment.

Your primary job after birth is healing and bonding with your baby. Everything else is secondary.

Lean into the support you have—from your partner, family, friends, or a postpartum doula—so you can focus on recovery.

4. Drop the “Shoulds”

Postpartum is full of expectations:

“I should enjoy every moment”
“I should handle everything myself”
“I should bounce back quickly”

These “shoulds” can make an already vulnerable time even harder. Instead, ask yourself:

“What do I need right now?”
More rest, more food, more support, a shower, a quiet moment?

Listening to your body’s needs is not selfish—it’s an important part of postpartum recovery and overall well-being.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for the postpartum period isn’t about the perfect plan, baby gear, or matching pajamas. It’s about building skills, creating a support system, and practicing habits that will carry you through the first weeks and months after birth.

Start practicing now: